Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-25
TIE STATE OF TRADE.

Special kilograms to Bradstreet's point
to the movement of q moderately i'm
proved volume of general merchandise
during the week, due in part to fewer
labor troubles, and at some points TO more
seasonable weather, together with be-
ginnings of spring purchases. Ac-
tivity in distribution of staple goods
is most pronounced at Kansas City,
Chicago, New Orleans and Detroit. At
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Gin
cinuati there is an improving tendency.
At most other points reported trade is
fair only, or without material change, eX-
cept at Milwaukee and Indianapolis,
which make the less encouraging reports,
except as TO the prospects for spring
trade. Wet weather west, southwestern
northwest continues to render country
roads rifficult of passage. which checks
interior trading and mercantile collec-
tions to some extent A severe storm at
the northwest yesterday promises to in
terfere with trade to some extent.
The total number of industrial en-
ployes in the country reported to Brad
streets since January as on a strike is
about 81, 900. OF these 900 struck dur
ing February, and 5000 prior to January
l. OF the total, $1,000 strikers have Sc
cured their ends in whole or part, and
about $4,000 have signally failed to do so.
Increases in New York bank loans of
Sl2,000,000 within two weeks were
caused largely through having TO carry
railway shares returned from Europe.
The tendency toward gold exports, in
spite of late heavy exports of produce,
also points in part to the extent of recent
foreign sales of American securities. Do
mt site money markets at most centers are
increasingly active, but the supply is fully
equal to the demand. The total bank
clearings at thirty three cities, as wired to
Bradstreet's is 1916, 1866 this week,
against 1851, III, Al last week, and S964,-
46G, l75 for the third week OF February,
1856, a gain during the week Of S25, 000,-
900, or % per cent, and as compared
with last year of So, 100000, or . per
cent. The increase is chie fly due to gains
at New York, Boston and Phiiadelphis,
where the weeks gain aggregates over
1923, O0O,0 900.
The New York stock market is dull and
Slightly lower. Fears Of an outflow Of
gold and Of congressional action unf8vor
able to railroa, interests check specula-
ton ard Investment, and the sensitive
condition of foreign markets, which
a Wait the result of the German elections,
tends to reproduce the same feeling here.
Foreign exchange is high, and gold ship
ments are probable on the scarcity of ex-
port bills.
Demand for iron and steel has been less
pronounced. Southern pig has not gone
west SO freely, and some mas come east.
Prices east and west are firm but I'M
changed. A foreign Bessemer pig sale
here of $4,000 tons is noted, with
about 100000 tons of foreign material
contracted for 1887 deliverv in the
United States. With present conditions
continued till the opening OF naviga-
ton further advance in domestic
iron prices is probable. Hardware and
agricultural implement sales st the west
are generally very active. Wheat has
been besrish, with decentralization at the
west, owing to disgust and WEAKNESS OF
the longs, exhausted margins and unfs-
vorable cables. This was succeeded by
reaction, strong holders having taken
freely at tue lower figures reached
Renewed export demand and declining
receipts at the west eXtrted an influence,
but No. red at New York closed
at 904c, against 9O3c last week. Re
duced western stocks of hog products,
sm aller receipts OF underWelght hogs at
packing cent RS, restricted output of
products, and better home and export
demand have made pork brisk and lard
active, with mess closing at Sl4.25 per
barrel and western steam lard 720c,
against Sl4 and l.0lc respectively on the
1lth inst. Coffee declined under
heavy speculative dealings about &c
per pound until yesterday, when
there was q reaction of 40 points
on options and &c on spot. Increased
Brazilian receipts and decreased interior
demand assisted, though latest cables
reiterate short crop estimates. There is
little or no change in sugar prices. The
market is waiting, and while retners are
buying moderately it is not unlikely that
they hold fair stocks. Special adviCes to
Bradstreet's report the Louisiana sugar
cane two months ahead Of last year aud
foot high. The acreage has been increased
and central factories are being established.
Western tobacco at New York is active on
large sales at shaded quotations. Petro-
leum prices are low and irregular. Ex
ports this year have declined about
25O, 900 barrels, and Russia's efforts to
compete in the United Kingdom and on
the continent are reported to have yielded
her control Of s per cent. OF petroleum